Songkhla Nakarin news

As Southern Thailand’s first university, PSU embodies the principle “Our Soul is for the Benefit of Mankind” through pioneering research and innovation. PSU has advanced Thai rubber technology, broadening its applications and achieving recognition both nationally and internationally.

Assoc. Prof. Sunton Wongsiri, M.D., Vice President for Research and Innovation at PSU, stated that rubber has long been integral to Thai society. Recognizing this, PSU has prioritized rubber innovation as a core policy to support the business sector in Southern Thailand, promoting both social growth and economic prosperity. The university has dedicated research teams, personnel from various fields, and substantial budgets to advance this mission. This commitment has led to significant knowledge development, innovative mechanisms, and numerous breakthroughs. A key component of this initiative is the active sharing of research insights and innovations in rubber with the community, facilitated by PSU’s faculty and researchers, fostering a collaborative growth between the university and its surrounding communities.

“PSU aims to nurture successful entrepreneur, not only SMEs and tech startups but also leaders in market innovation, empowering them to expand their reach internationally. Once they achieve their goals, we encourage them to return and invest in their home communities. With their research foundations, innovations, and business experience, they can contribute to local growth, advancing their communities alongside their own success”, Dr. Sunton stated.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ekwipoo Kalkornsurapranee, Director of the Rubber Innovation Research and Development Institute at PSU, emphasized that rubber innovation draws on the accumulated knowledge of various generations to create meaningful impacts on the economy, community, and environment. “Economically, we need to generate new value for rubber to compete in the global market,” he stated. “Equally important is enhancing the quality of life for farmers through product and innovation development. Rubber plays a vital role as the only crop capable of replacing petroleum-derived materials, thereby contributing to a healthier environment overall.”

Dr. Ekwipoo further stated, “We can view the evolution of rubber competition in three distinct phases. The first phase centered on maximizing yields to benefit farmers, during which the university focused on improving breeding techniques, promoting effective cultivation practices, and enhancing management strategies. The second phase marked the shift toward industrialization, where we prioritized processing rubber to compete internationally. This involved increasing production capacity, enhancing manufacturing processes, improving efficiency, reducing costs, and developing a skilled labor force for the industry. Currently, we are entering a phase that emphasizes environmental sustainability, aiming to use limited resources efficiently for sustainable development. Since rubber is derived from a biological source, it requires relatively low resources and carbon compared to other polymers. Thus, the university is now dedicated to creating innovations that add new value to rubber products, along with advancements in management and production.”

Mr. Nattawee Buakaew, Managing Director of G-Fin Rubber Tech Co., shared, “Growing up in a family of rubber plantation farmers, I feel fortunate and proud as an alumnus of PSU, an institution that nurtures and promotes entrepreneurship. The continuous support and encouragement from the university have been invaluable. I aspire for our products not only to generate commercial profits but also to create benefits for the community, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life in society.”

Mr. Nattawee stated, “As a player in the private sector, we naturally aim for maximum profits from our business. However, we also recognize our responsibility to the rubber plantation community and embrace the values of PSU’s guiding principles. Therefore, we are committed to extending our efforts to enhance the quality of life for the community. Importantly, we strive to promote rubber innovations developed and produced by Thais, ensuring they gain recognition and competitiveness in the global market.”